Let's put bureaucracy on a diet

For the past few years, schools in Massachusetts have been measuring students' body-mass index and sending letters home to alert parents about the dangers of obesity.

Public health officials said Wednesday they may re-evaluate the letters in the light of a 2011 study of the California public schools that shows such efforts not only don't work, but have led to disclosure of embarrassing information.

As we've said many times, schools should play a limited role in students' health, but mustn't overreach. It's time to stop measuring BMI and stop sending letters to parents. School nurses and principals should simply use their judgment and work with families on a case-by-case basis, through phone calls, meetings and suggestions.